The marathon that is South American qualification has entered the final stretch and Argentina significantly boosted their chances of reaching the 2018 World Cup after edging Chile in Buenos Aires’ Monumental.

Lionel Messi’s 16th-minute penalty was just enough to give Edgardo Bauza’s side the much needed three points but there was little in the performance itself to give supporters belief.

Chile will perhaps justifiably feel they deserved more from the game but with five matches remaining are now the side on the outside of qualification looking in, while Argentina climbed to third.